Just posted my first blog last night, can you take a look?

Thanks for this CapnWillard, how do I go about having this privacy policy on my site? I have created one on each site and am in the process of making slight tweaks.

Well, seeing as you are the 1 out of 100 to actually try some advice and come back to the thread... LOL

That's much better.

The game analogy, though cliche, is pretty good as it ties in well with your USP.

I was going to say something about your articles. There is another thread about a new blog with the same problems.

You need to realize that you are writing for a purpose. If you are in a "make money niche" like MMO, Weight Loss, Fitness or Personal Development (as you are) then the purpose of your writing is to MAKE MONEY.

Not necessarily immediately or directly but it should aim to accomplish something that leads to that goal: an opt-in, a sale, a share, whatever.

That means creating quality content that engages, raises an issue or question, provides information or an answer followed by a call to action.

A call to action is important at the end of almost every post.

The following are my suggestions for blog posts. Pages/articles, guest posts, posts to go viral, may have different criteria. I am talking about your bread and butter blog post to engage readers and get them to engage with you and ultimately give you money.

First you should be clear about the purpose of the article, the problem, issue, idea or news it addresses. Find an angle that can lead to a call to action- decide what you want the reader do to when they finish the article and then tell them to do it.

I will say "part" instead of "paragraph" because it depends a lot on length and subject how you want to pace the post.

The Title should tell the reader exactly what they are going to get without reading the article. Don't make it vague, don't make it cute, don't make it a mysterious "...click to find out...". Those all have other uses but not here.

How to pluck a chicken in 5 Minutes
The top three resources for free traffic
How to find cheap airfare online
NOT Why this is stopping your business

The first part should:

• Restate exactly what they will get (I'm going to teach you to easily pluck a chicken in 5 minutes)
• Offer an opinion, caveat, or statement so they get to know you and the angle you are coming from (I grew up on a farm and...)
• Get them in the state of mind that they will benefit from this post (This is easier than you think once you know how)
• It should encourage them to read further (Keep reading for the first step - how the hell do I start plucking a chicken?)

The main part of your post is where you really address your subject, answer some questions, raise others, compare, review, whatever the purpose of the post is.

• Describe their problems, offer solutions
• Describe their dreams, offer road maps
• Tell them news, offer your take
• You get the idea

The layout and presentation is also important.

• Break it up into lots of sections with meaningful headlines
• Use meaningful images, graphics and blockquotes
• Lists, Numbered lists
• Make it epic

Google "creating epic content" there are some good articles for creating blog posts.

Finally end with a summary and "Call to Action"
This is one thing new bloggers often overlook but you will see in all the top bloggers. At the end of the post you need to tell your readers what to do.

1. Opt-In
You can simply tell them to opt-in and direct them to your regular form but an even more effective way is to offer something unique to that article.

Say the article is "Outsourcing to Leverage Time and Money". You can't possibly cover everything in one blog post, even an epic one. Cover in enough detail to give a comprehensive overview then offer an opt-in at the end for a more detailed e-book on Outsourcing or "Top 10 Outsourcing Resources" or "Outsource Everything to Fiverr". Something they will be eager for immediately after reading your article and rush to opt-in.

2. Read more
A lot of traffic will come to your site from Google looking for answers. If they arrive at your post it is because it provides what the reader is looking for (you hope). If you are giving quality content it is a great opportunity to guide them to another post.

Say they arrived after searching "How to build backlinks". They arrive at your article "How to Build Backlinks - The White Hat Way".

At the end of the article you could direct them to another article that is related enough they would want to read it:
Check out my case study where I take you step by step how to build backlinks
Check out my Blog Network Blueprint
NOT Check out my YouTube traffic guide (they came looking for backlink info)

Something that is more than a list of semi-related articles created by a plug-in. Specific recommendations by you that will go well with the article they just read.

3. Comment
Comments are great ways to engage and answer questions that come out of the post. A lot of the good blogs have as much information in the comments as the original post.

4. Buy
Much better to get an opt-in than try for a direct sale. If you have a promotion you are more likely to create a sale page or review page (rather than post) and send blog traffic there rather than selling in the blog post. But if you are selling- TELL THEM TO CLICK

A call to action makes a big difference. You need to be telling your audience what to do and get them used to following you.

Your article is not bad and has many of these qualities. I think it could be reworked a bit better and certainly breaking it up into sections with headlines, adding bold and italic, lists, and a call to action.

You are writing it as an intro post (it seems from reading) so really take that opportunity to state your opinion and engage.

Get clear on what the purpose of that post is. Tweak it so it says what you want and sets the tone. Lead your readers into your mindset- tell them some "hard truths"- offer high level solutions. Everything you are already doing.

Since it is an intro post a great all to action would be an opt-in for an ebook with image and form.

The way you are talking and addressing your core audience, I think a good book on mindset would work. Find a quality PLR ebook (there are many on that topic) and rework it to your voice and your blog then get a nice new cover done on fiverr.

Mindset is extremely important to move from the "average" to the "super rich" but it is rarely something the "average" is willing to pay for. Also, since you are talking about mindset you can ingrain with them the importance of "leverage" and using "money to make money". so they understand they will have to BUY things/products/service on their journey.

The post "as is" is a great start. And probably fine for the average blog. But I can just tell you want to make yours EPIC.

EDIT: The "afraid to lose" angle in your intro blurb is great. It subtly lowers their fears of spending money. A big fear in buying is the money is going to disappear and you will get scammed. They need to overcome the "afraid to lose" mindset before they will over come fears and take the action they need to be successful. Some of which will be buying products/services from you.

I would add that tone to you first article. It is the first step in realizing you need to spend money to make money.

And one of the top barriers to buying info products.


Anyway this went kind of long so I'll say good night.